Phuket’s new expressway: why the Muang Mai–Ko Kaeo–Kathu route matters
In July 2026, Phuket received a rare infrastructure signal that is easy to underestimate. Phase 2 of the Phuket Expressway has again moved into the transport pipeline for Cabinet-level consideration. The route covers 30.62 km from Muang Mai to Ko Kaeo and Kathu, with an estimated budget of about THB 46.75 billion.
On paper, it is just another road. In reality, it can reshape how buyers value property on an island where travel time matters as much as beach distance. The project is designed to connect the northern gateway, Ko Kaeo and Kathu — areas many buyers still see as practical rather than glamorous, even though they sit at the center of Phuket’s daily movement.
Why property buyers should care
Phuket is no longer only a resort market. It is a live island economy. If the expressway works as planned, it should reduce pressure on busy local roads and make trips between the airport, Phuket Town, the north and the west coast more predictable. For owners, that usually means stronger rental appeal, better liquidity and a clearer resale story.
The biggest upside may be for inner-island locations such as Ko Kaeo, Kathu and Muang Mai. These areas sit between the beaches and the city, and transport upgrades often lift exactly this kind of “in-between” stock: villas, family homes, low-rise condos and long-stay products.
What to check now
Do not look only at beach distance. Check road access, proximity to major arteries, and whether a plot could sit inside a future widening or corridor plan. For rental buyers, the real question is whether the location supports easy year-round living, not just holiday appeal.
If the project advances on schedule, Phuket’s north and center could gain a real competitive edge. That is the kind of infrastructure story that makes the market more efficient, not more speculative.
